The white town of Chefchaouen nestles in the hollow of the two mountains ech-Chaoua (The Horns) from which it takes its name. Steep narrow streets with white and indigo limewashed buildings, small squares, ornate fountains and houses with elaborately decorated doorways and red tile roofs make this a
delightful town. It was founded in 1471 by Idrissid shorfa, descendants of the Prophet Mohammed, as a stronghold in the fight against the Portuguese.
Chefchaouen, esteemed as a holy town, has eight mosques and several zaouias and marabouts.
Medina of Chefchaouen is a small street running between the kasbah and the Grand Mosque leads to the Souïka district. This is the oldest district of Chefchaouen, and the town’s finest houses, with carved and decorated doors, are found here. The name souïka, meaning “little market”, comes from the district’s kissaria, where there are many small shops along its narrow streets. The medina contains more than 100 weavers’ workshops.